Steinberger Club

[bungalowbill]

OK... just wondering as they're not really interchangeable. They have different geometry, so if you put an XL2 pivot plate on an L2 or vice versa, the strap buttons don't line up with the notch on the body when you try to pivot it to closed position. (L2 left, XL2 right in the picture below)

 

[MPU]

If I just knew the distance between the pivot point and strap button I could drill the holes to match either geometry.

 

[bungalowbill]

If I just knew the distance between the pivot point and strap button I could drill the holes to match either geometry.

I guess you could drill the strap button holes to match if you have an L-2 pivot plate. An XL-2 pivot plate looks like it might be too short to work properly on an L-2. I tried swapping pivot plates a few years ago just to see the difference. In this photo, the L-2 with XL-2 pivot plate is on the left, and the XL-2 with L-2 pivot plate is on the right.

 

[MPU]

I guess you could drill the strap button holes to match if you have an L-2 pivot plate. An XL-2 pivot plate looks like it might be too short to work properly on an L-2. I tried swapping pivot plates a few years ago just to see the difference. In this photo, the L-2 with XL-2 pivot plate is on the left, and the XL-2 with L-2 pivot plate is on the right.

Could you please measure the distances between the pivot point and strap button holes in both pivot plates.
Marko

 

[bungalowbill]

Could you please measure the distances between the pivot point and strap button holes in both pivot plates.
Marko

Looks like the L-2 is about 185mm, and the XL-2 is about 173mm. The distance from the pivot to the other strap button appears to be about the same on both (although maybe at a slightly different angle?), at around 73mm. Although probably not precise enough for manufacturing, this should help you figure out which original you have.

 

[MPU]

Thanks!

 

[MPU]

Looks like I have an XL-2 plate. I can make plates for L-2 as well, I just make the plate a bit longer.

 

[BurningSkies]

And just for fun, current issue Spirit XL-25

I'm really happy with how it sounds and the overall fit/finish is decent...except for the neck-cap/string-retainer which is mounted so that the truss-rod access hole doesn't align with the trussrod. So you have to un-mount it to make adjustments. I'll take it to someone soon to have it re-mounted correctly and have the mounting holes filled and re-drilled.

I did take a moment and lubricate the tuner-screw threads with some 'dry lubricant' which has definitely helped make tuning up to pitch a bit less of a bear.

I bought this for a gig I have coming up running riddim for a set at a reggae festival in St. Lucia, and I didn't want to check on any of my Dingwalls. It hangs radically different from my Dingwalls (it shifts the neck to the left by 3 frets)...so my solution was to learn the set of new material ONLY on this bass so my muscle memory is 'set' for this bass.

The strings that came on it, while sounding good were CHEAP. It took about 20 hours of playtime before all the nickel plating was worn off of them. I've never had that happen. Anyone know what gauges came original issue on these? Looks like I'm string shopping.

Fierce woodshedding:

 

[MPU]

First one out of the mold. A batch of ten plates should be finished in a few weeks.

 

[BergerHead]

Hi Folks, nice to join in, if i may please ... btw, when interested, i collected a zillion Berger pics; e.g. know sunkable frets on a M bass?

 

[throbgod13]

i just bought an XP2 with original gig bag.. it needs quite a bit done, the pickguard was modified, it is missing two knobs, the bridge needs to be cleaned and refinished and the thigh lever has broken off.. the upside, the neck is literally spotless, not a nick/ding/scratch on it.. it has the original wiring harness and passive pickups.. i'm now searching for a new OEM thigh lever, i know HeadlessUSA has the unmarked reproductions for 60.00, but i would like an original that is marked Steinberger..

i'm pretty happy overall, even with the work needed on it..

 

[FishDub]

Does anyone have an L/xl2 they want to part with? I have a very rare pre-Gibson Tobias basic 4 that I am considering a trade with..

 

[bonruiz]

i just bought an XP2 with original gig bag.. it needs quite a bit done, the pickguard was modified, it is missing two knobs, the bridge needs to be cleaned and refinished and the thigh lever has broken off.. the upside, the neck is literally spotless, not a nick/ding/scratch on it.. it has the original wiring harness and passive pickups.. i'm now searching for a new OEM thigh lever, i know HeadlessUSA has the unmarked reproductions for 60.00, but i would like an original that is marked Steinberger..

i'm pretty happy overall, even with the work needed on it..

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I also have an XP-2. It's very strong and reliable, once you set it up properly, you'll surely enjoy its versatility and huge tones. I had a luthier fix my bridge saddles and claws and fabricate ones made of bell brass because the original saddles and string claws easily break and get loose threads after a few years. I want mine to last a very long time. Enjoy your Steinberger!

 

[sonojono]

Anyone here live in California and know of any luthiers that specialize in steinberger basses? It appears in my area they seem clueless and are afraid to even touch the thing, let alone stare at it without them trying to form a sentence on why they can’t help me

On another note, when was the last time anyone has seen an XM-2 posted for sale in online buying sites? (eBay, reverb etc.)

 

[Gilmourisgod]

i just bought an XP2 with original gig bag.. it needs quite a bit done, the pickguard was modified, it is missing two knobs, the bridge needs to be cleaned and refinished and the thigh lever has broken off.. the upside, the neck is literally spotless, not a nick/ding/scratch on it.. it has the original wiring harness and passive pickups.. i'm now searching for a new OEM thigh lever, i know HeadlessUSA has the unmarked reproductions for 60.00, but i would like an original that is marked Steinberger..

i'm pretty happy overall, even with the work needed on it..

View attachment 3169028 View attachment 3169029 View attachment 3169030 View attachment 3169032

I have an 86' XP-2, same nomex gig bag. I think Ed Roman's has XP-2 pickguards too, though god knows what he wants for them. He bought up a lot of the remaining NOS parts when the original Steinberger went under. If you don't see the pickguard in their stock, give them a call anyway, they aren't too good about updating the parts list in my experience. Mine still has the original frets in great shape after all these years of rounds. The only real problem I've ever had was my own damn fault, I overtightened one of the neck bolts and pulled the brass insert it's threaded into right out of the neck! I had to figure out how to repair it, basically epoxy mixed with some colloidal silica from West Systems. One of my kids ( still not sure who) dropped the neck and put a huge chip in it, right under the nut. I was able to repair that almost invisibly with black Spectrum Gelcoat Paste. These necks were built like boat hulls, gelcoat sprayed into a polished mold, then the carbon fiber laid up and drenched in epoxy or polyester resin. The frets are stainless steel on mine, though that seems to vary by year. The paint on the body is some kind of incredibly tough two-part epoxy paint, mine is barely scratched after 30 years of normal wear and tear. Great bass, just had it out last night noodling away.
Steinberger Parts

 

[radiofreerich]

Well, @MPU did not disappoint. His pivot plate reproduction is simply amazing! The design, material & construction quality are of the highest caliber. I feel that, with proper care, his plate with last indefinitely. Excellent job!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

No surprise, if you saw his unbelievable L2 clone build. Jaw dropping perfection in a notoriously difficult material.

 

[basschip22]

I am looking for any and all info/specs on a headless bass I saw on a YouTube video.The first 25 seconds are the best views of the bass, but details are poorly seen.The bass player is Paul Fakhourie and he is backing Lauryn Hill on her hit "DooWop-That Thing" at the 1998 Billboard Awards Show.My best guess is that it is a Steinberger L2 or XL2, but I am far from certain.
I am hoping that someone may know what Paul was playing at that time, even if the video is too indistinct to tell for sure.
The video is below.

 

[xrob]

Looks like an L2 to me, based on the end of the neck. But I guess it could be an XL-2 with a string adapter attached, too. For me it's a little too difficult to see if it's a Steinberger decal or etched logo, which would be a dead giveaway. I am guessing there are some people on here who might be able to tell from the pivot plate as well, but I'm not that good!

I am looking for any and all info/specs on a headless bass I saw on a YouTube video.The first 25 seconds are the best views of the bass, but details are poorly seen.The bass player is Paul Fakhourie and he is backing Lauryn Hill on her hit "DooWop-That Thing" at the 1998 Billboard Awards Show.My best guess is that it is a Steinberger L2 or XL2, but I am far from certain.
I am hoping that someone may know what Paul was playing at that time, even if the video is too indistinct to tell for sure.
The video is below.

 

[BergerHead]

Looks like an L2 to me, based on the end of the neck. But I guess it could be an XL-2 with a string adapter attached, too. For me it's a little too difficult to see if it's a Steinberger decal or etched logo, which would be a dead giveaway. I am guessing there are some people on here who might be able to tell from the pivot plate as well, but I'm not that good!

Steinberger made a whole lotta transition models, L2/L2-5 with sticker/screen print and/or foldables, advanced bridges/neck's ends; at least 5-6 different versions throughout the XL/XL5W then. And then Gibson crushed in and shaged it all up ... :-(